president obama says he would like congress to pass a bill even sooner to extend tax cuts for the middle class families. and he invited some of those middle class americans to the white house today to help make his case. >> i have got a pen. [ laughter ] i'm ready to sign it. [ applause ] so, my point here today is is to say let's approach this problem with the middle class in mind. the folks who are behind me and the millions of people all across the country who they represent. >> shepard: well, republicans are saying they need some spending cuts. that they will also have to be part of the deal. and they are accusing the president of campaigning instead of negotiating. >> i mean, every week he spends campaigning for his ideas is a week that we are not solving the problem. it's completely counter productive. the election is over. he won. congratulations. and we have got a hard deadline here, however, and it's still he he is still out on the campaign trail, kind of celebrating. >> shepard: if the president and congress cannot cut a deal by new year's day. automatic spending cuts kick in a